What secret/special ingredient do you add to certain food/dishes?

reehsetin

probably not very OS but I've just discovered the nandos garlic sauce - added some to my pizza sauce and it tasted amazing, gave it that little kick/something extra

irishgirl62

I use red wine when cooking mince for shepherd pie

MrsE_2

I put a bit of sugar (or sweetner) in tomato based dishes.

*gem*

I put hot pepper sauce in everything savoury. It tastes great in my homemade chicken soup.

PennyGSD

In a desparate attempt to still have crispy chips and roast potatoes whilst dieting, I tried coating par-boiled potatoes in yoghurt before placing in a hot oven, as mentioned previously on here somewhere, and I can't believe the results.

I now actually melt a little really low fat spread (Mr S Butterlicious light) and mix with plain yoghurt and paint onto the spuds and they come out crispy and tasting really authentic.

Go on, I dare you to try it next time you're doing oven chips or roasties, even if you only risk it on one or two. I was sceptical and only tried it on 2 spuds when I first tried it, but as neither my OH or me were sure which spuds they were when they came out of the oven, it was deemed a success and we've been cooking them this way ever since.

jaxx46

I too am a fan of marmite in mince and stews but another thing I do when making cottage pie is stir a tablespoon of creamed horseradish through the mince before topping with the potato adds a certain piquancy that always gets favourable comments.

funkymonkey849

Pesto in risotto is sooo yummy, either red or green works. Also a spoonful of cream cheese makes it deliciously creamy.

Guess what I'm eating for my lunch at work today, leftover red pesto risotti Mmmmmmmmmm

needing-help

When I make burgers I always add a squirt of ketchup and a squirt of mustard.

CLARABEL

smoked paprika added into a chilli gives a lovely rounded flavour. i also bulk out chillis with carrots and quorn mince. it's also fabulous on potato wedges!

spoons of marmite and mustard in cheese straw pastry makes it taste cheesy without a lot of cheese. Much cheaper, and even healthier!

i agree with balsamic on strawberries, but also a grind of black pepper does wonderful things!

that's all i can think of for now...

Clara.:p

HoneyBee83

Wow great thread!

Will try the mustard in cheese sauce one-sounds yummy.
I swear to adding red wine to gravy...gives it a rich and full flavour especially if being served with bangers and mash!!